盒

Classifier for Boxes

Level 2Sounds Like hap6

Use 盒 (hap6) when counting or referring to items packaged in boxes or cartons (e.g., 一盒牛奶 'a carton of milk'). Note that when 盒 is used as a standalone noun for 'box' itself (e.g., 飯盒 'lunchbox'), its pronunciation undergoes a tone change to hap2.

How It Works

Understanding 盒 (hap6) as a Container Classifier

Counting boxed goods in Cantonese relies on container classifiers. 盒 (hap6) is used whenever you refer to a boxful or carton of something.

1. Grammar Pattern:
• [Number / Demonstrative / Quantifier] + 盒 (hap6) + [Noun]
• Example: 一盒朱古力 (jat1 hap6 zyu1 gu2 lik1) = a box of chocolates
• Example: 呢盒牛奶 (ni1 hap6 ngau4 naai5) = this carton of milk

2. Tone Distinction (hap6 vs. hap2):
• As a classifier ("a box of..."), 盒 is pronounced with Tone 6: hap6.
• As a noun ("box/case"), 盒 undergoes a standard Cantonese tone change to Tone 2: hap2 (e.g., 飯盒 faan6 hap2 'lunchbox', 筆盒 bat1 hap2 'pencil case', 紙盒 zi2 hap2 'cardboard box').

3. Modifying Box Size:
Adjectives describing container size insert directly before the classifier:
• 一大盒 (jat1 daai6 hap6) = a big box/carton of...
• 一細盒 (jat1 sai3 hap6) = a small box/carton of...

4. Common Noun Categories:
• Boxed sweets/foods: 朱古力 (chocolates), 月餅 (mooncakes), 餅乾 (biscuits)
• Cartoned liquids: 牛奶 (milk), 檸檬茶 (lemon tea)
• Boxed household items: 紙巾 (tissues), 火柴 (matches), 藥 (medicine)

Examples (4)

  1. 我買咗一盒朱古力送畀朋友。

    I bought a box of chocolates to give to a friend.

    Word by Word: I buy [perf] one box chocolate give to friend

    Demonstrates 盒 (hap6) used as a classifier for boxed confectionery.

  2. 請攞一盒紙巾畀我，唔該。

    Please hand me a box of tissues, thanks.

    Word by Word: Please fetch one box tissue to me, please

    Shows 盒 (hap6) used for household items packaged in boxes.

  3. 呢盒牛奶過咗期，唔好飲。

    This carton of milk has expired; don't drink it.

    Word by Word: This carton milk pass [perf] date, don't drink

    Shows 盒 (hap6) used for paper milk cartons.

  4. 醫生畀咗兩細盒藥我。

    The doctor gave me two small boxes of medicine.

    Word by Word: Doctor give [perf] two small box medicine me

    Demonstrates placing the adjective 細 (sai3, small) directly before 盒 (hap6).

Common Mistakes

  • Using Tone 2 (hap2) instead of Tone 6 (hap6) for the classifier.

    我買咗一盒 (hap2) 朱古力。
    我買咗一盒 (hap6) 朱古力。

    When 盒 acts as a classifier meaning 'a box of', it must be pronounced Tone 6 (hap6). The Tone 2 pronunciation (hap2) is used only when 盒 acts as a standalone noun or noun suffix.

  • Using 盒 for a soft bag of chips.

    Different Meaning我想買一盒薯片。
    我想買一包薯片。

    一盒薯片 is fine when the chips come in a box or tub. For a soft, flexible bag of chips, use 包 (baau1).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

盒Level 2Classifier for Boxes

Learn This First

To use '盒' (box) as a classifier, you need to understand the basic Cantonese noun phrase structure where a number and a classifier must precede the noun. It functions similarly to the general classifier '個' but specifies the container or grouping of the items.

Words in This Pattern

盒